Are you curious about your personality type? Do you find yourself drawn to introspection and self-discovery?
If so, you may have heard of the INFJ personality type. INFJs are known for their idealism, creativity, and deep empathy for others. However, with so many personality tests available online, it can be difficult to determine if you truly fit this type.
In this article, we will explore how to test if you are an INFJ and provide insights into the traits and characteristics of this unique personality type.
So, grab a cup of tea and get ready to dive into the world of INFJs!
How To Test If You Are INFJ
The first step in testing if you are an INFJ is to take a personality test that specifically identifies this type. While many tests focus on the four-letter dichotomies (I/E, S/N, T/F, J/P), it’s important to find a test that looks at all four main areas: Extroversion vs Introversion, Sensing vs Intuition, Thinking vs Feeling, and Judging vs Perceiving.
One such test is available online for free and can help you determine your four-letter personality type. This test identifies your personality type by looking at which way your personality tends to lean for each dimension. For INFJs, this means leaning toward Introversion, Intuiting, Feeling, and Judging.
If you find that you consistently score as an INFJ on multiple tests, it’s likely that this is your true personality type. However, it’s important to remember that no test is 100% accurate and that personality is complex and multifaceted.
What Is The INFJ Personality Type?
The INFJ personality type is one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, which was originally based on the theories of Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung. INFJ stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. INFJs are known for their deep thoughtfulness, imagination, and personal values that guide them in all aspects of life. They are also highly compassionate and are often drawn to helping others, making them natural listeners and counselors.
INFJs are considered to be the rarest personality type, making up less than 2% of the world’s population. They are often described as “mysterious,” “intuitive,” and “emotionally intelligent,” yet they can be difficult to spot due to their reserved nature. Despite this, INFJs can make fiercely loyal friends, empathetic and organized employees, and exceptional leaders for causes they deem worthy and for the greater good of humanity.
INFJs are idealistic and principled individuals who want to make a positive impact on the world. They value deep, meaningful relationships and care about integrity. They move through life with a clear sense of their values and aim never to lose sight of what truly matters according to their own wisdom and intuition.
The History And Development Of The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was developed by Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers in the 1940s. They were a mother and daughter team who were highly educated and employed the scientific method in creating the assessment. Although neither were psychologists, they spent years studying Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types.
Myers and Briggs believed that understanding personality types could help people better understand themselves and others, and improve communication and relationships. They created a questionnaire that groups people into one of 16 personality types based on four dichotomies: Extroversion vs Introversion, Sensing vs Intuition, Thinking vs Feeling, and Judging vs Perceiving.
The MBTI assessment was first published in 1962 by the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, a major assessment publisher who helped develop the MBTI assessment. Since then, the MBTI has become wildly popular in nearly every facet of society, and has expanded personality testing into an estimated $2 billion market.
Despite its success, the MBTI has been widely criticized by most psychologists as lacking experimental evidence. The research supporting the MBTI’s validity has been produced by the Center for Applications of Psychological Type, an organization run by the Myers-Briggs Foundation, and published in the center’s own journal, raising questions of independence, bias, and conflict of interest.
While there are criticisms of the MBTI, it remains a popular tool for understanding personality types and improving communication and relationships. It continues to be used by many individuals and organizations to gain insight into themselves and others.
How To Take The MBTI Test And Interpret Your Results
If you want a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of your personality type, you can take the official Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. This test is administered by a professional who is registered to give the test, and there is usually a fee involved.
The MBTI test consists of 130 questions and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. The questions are designed to determine your preferences in the four main areas of personality type. Once you have completed the test, you will be given a four-letter code that identifies your personality type. For INFJs, this code is I-N-F-J.
It’s important to note that the MBTI test is not a definitive measure of your personality type. While the test is based on sound psychological theory, it has also been criticized for its poor validity and reliability. Therefore, it’s important to use caution when interpreting your results and not rely solely on them to determine your true personality type.
To accurately interpret your MBTI results, it’s helpful to understand what each of the four letters in your code means. The first letter represents whether you are an Introvert (I) or an Extravert (E). This refers to how you gain energy – introverts tend to recharge by spending time alone, while extraverts gain energy from being around other people.
The second letter represents whether you use Intuition (N) or Sensing (S) to perceive information. Intuitive types tend to rely on their intuition and imagination to interpret information, while sensing types rely on their five senses.
The third letter represents whether you use Thinking (T) or Feeling (F) to make decisions. Thinking types tend to be logical and analytical in their decision-making, while feeling types tend to be more emotional and empathetic.
Finally, the fourth letter represents whether you are a Judging (J) or Perceiving (P) type. Judging types tend to be organized and structured in their approach to life, while perceiving types tend to be more spontaneous and flexible.
Once you understand what each letter in your code means, you can use this information to better understand your strengths and weaknesses as an INFJ. You can also use this information to guide your personal and professional development, as well as determine which careers may be most suitable for your personality type.
The Key Traits And Characteristics Of INFJs
INFJs are known for their unique combination of traits and characteristics. These individuals are deeply compassionate, with a strong sense of intuition and emotional understanding. They are empathetic and can form strong connections with others, despite being introverted by nature. INFJs are also idealistic and have a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world. They have the ability to translate their idealism into action and are dedicated to helping others with original solutions to their personal challenges.
In addition to their emotional intelligence, INFJs are also highly organized individuals who like to exert control by planning, organizing, and making decisions as early as possible. They have a reflective and curious worldview that gives them a unique perspective and thoughtful approach to how they interact with others and the world around them. INFJs are both emotional and logical in their decision-making process, placing a greater emphasis on their emotions than objective facts. However, this does not mean they see the world through rose-colored glasses. INFJs understand the world, both the good and the bad, and hope to be able to make it better.
One of the most distinguishing traits of INFJs is their ability to intuit others’ emotions and motivations. They trust their insights about others and have strong faith in their ability to read people. Although they are sensitive, they are also reserved; the INFJ is a private sort, and is selective about sharing intimate thoughts and feelings. INFJs search for meaning and purpose in their lives and in the outer world, with an immense interest in deeply understanding culture, society, and the universe as a whole.
Despite being thoughtful nurturers with a strong sense of personal integrity, INFJs despise interpersonal conflict. They enjoy being in harmonious, peaceful environments and find places of conflict and criticism highly stressful. While some types can compartmentalize conflict or even enjoy a certain amount of volatility and debate, INFJs find themselves deeply stressed and troubled by it.
INFJ Strengths And Weaknesses
INFJs have a number of strengths and weaknesses that are important to understand. These personality traits can help you identify if you truly align with the INFJ personality type.
Strengths:
– Empathetic: INFJs are highly empathetic, able to understand and feel the emotions of others deeply. This allows them to connect with people on a deep level and provide support and guidance.
– Creative: INFJs are highly creative, able to see possibilities and connections that others might miss. They often have a strong sense of aesthetics and a desire for beauty.
– Idealistic: INFJs are driven by their values and principles, always striving to do what is right and just. They have a strong sense of purpose and can inspire others to act in accordance with their beliefs.
– Organized: INFJs are highly organized, able to plan and execute complex projects with ease. They thrive in structured environments and can create order out of chaos.
Weaknesses:
– Perfectionistic: INFJs can become fixated on perfection, which can lead them to be overly critical of themselves and others. This can create tension in relationships and prevent them from achieving their goals.
– Sensitive: INFJs can be highly sensitive to criticism or perceived slights, which can make them defensive or dismissive. This can create conflict in relationships and prevent them from receiving feedback.
– Reserved: INFJs can be reluctant to open up or share their feelings, which can create distance in relationships. They may struggle to ask for help when they need it, leading to burnout or exhaustion.
– Avoidant: INFJs may avoid conflict or difficult conversations, which can prevent them from addressing issues that need to be resolved. This can create tension in relationships and prevent growth or progress.
Understanding these strengths and weaknesses can help you navigate your life as an INFJ. By focusing on your strengths and working on your weaknesses, you can become the best version of yourself and achieve your goals while maintaining healthy relationships.
Famous INFJs And Their Impact On The World
INFJs are known for their deep empathy, idealism, and drive to make a positive impact on the world. While they may be a rare personality type, there are many famous individuals who have been identified as INFJs. Here are some examples of famous INFJs and their impact on the world:
1. Martin Luther King Jr.: A renowned civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. was an INFJ who used his powerful oratory skills and deep empathy to fight for racial equality and justice.
2. Mother Teresa: A Catholic nun and humanitarian, Mother Teresa was known for her selfless service to the poor and sick. Her INFJ personality allowed her to connect deeply with those she served and to see the world through a lens of compassion and empathy.
3. Nelson Mandela: A South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician, Nelson Mandela was an INFJ who fought tirelessly for social justice and equality. His ability to see the big picture and his unwavering commitment to his ideals helped him to make a lasting impact on the world.
4. Mahatma Gandhi: An Indian independence activist and leader, Mahatma Gandhi was an INFJ who used his deep compassion and spiritual beliefs to fight for Indian independence from British rule. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance inspired countless others to fight for justice in their own communities.
5. J.K. Rowling: The author of the beloved Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling is an INFJ who used her creativity and imagination to create a magical world that has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world.
These are just a few examples of famous INFJs who have made a significant impact on the world. Their ability to connect deeply with others, see the big picture, and stay committed to their ideals has helped them to achieve great things and inspire others to do the same.